BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A West Seneca man pleaded guilty Monday afternoon to leaving the scene of an incident resulting in death after he hit a pedestrian last September in North Buffalo, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Just before 11 p.m. on Sept. 25, the victim, identified as 59-year-old Joseph Domnissey, fell onto the road while crossing an intersection near the 2000 block of Elmwood Avenue between Hertel and Hinman Avenues.
A man was stopped at the red light in the northbound lane and exited his vehicle in an attempt to help Domnissey and stop incoming traffic, officials said.
Samuel Baer, 44, was driving his pickup truck southbound on Elmwood Avenue when he drove through the green light and hit Domnissey in the roadway. After hitting him, officials said Baer veered into the northbound lane onto a grass-covered lot and continued to drive southbound on Elmwood Avenue.
Domnissey was taken to ECMC by ambulance, where he was pronounced dead. Baer left the scene of the incident resulting in death without notifying police, the district attorney’s office said.
Baer faces a maximum of seven years in prison when he is sentenced on Dec. 15. He remains held without bail.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
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